Kazmir spent the 2013 season pitching for the Cleveland Indians after spending 2012 in the Independent League. The 29-year old Kazmir had 4.04 ERA and 162 strikeouts in 158 innings last season to go with a 10-9 record.

After reaching two All-Star games early in his career with the Tampa Bay Rays, Kazmir fell out of favor after difficult seasons with the Angels in 2010 and 2011.